Spring



E. G. LINDHE March y21, 1933.

SPRING Filed Feb. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M. 6. Aw/L..

BY y

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E. G. LINDHE March 2l 1933.

SPRING Filed Feb. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN-ron BY y y l V'ATTORNEY (lll Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNiTsD stares ERIC G. LIEBHE, OF HASTINGS U-ON HUDSGN, NEW YORK SPRING Application led February-8, 1932. Serial No. 591,653.

This invention relates to spring devices and has particularly to do with springs for vehicles such as automobiles.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient7 strong economical spring unit.

A further obj ect is to provide a spring unit in which the deflections of the unit under load variations will be much more uniform throughout the unit than has hitherto been the case and to thereby avoid undue strain of the unit and the ensuing breakage. A still further object is to provide a spring unit which responds uniformly throughout to load applications and which can be readily and easily adjusted to various normal loads and to checlrexcessive deflections beyond predetermined limits in either direction.

Further and more specic objects7 features, and advantages will more clearly appear when taken in connection with the accompaning drawings which illustrate a preferred formrof the invention and which form part of the annexed specification.

Briefly considered the invention `comprises a leaf element fastened at one point to a relatively fixed member and at another point to a relatively movable member and having disposed between the leaf element and the fixed member a plurality of compression elements movable with the leaf element and cooperating with each other and the fixed member to uniformly resistY the movement of the spring and to eect a uniform distortion of the leaf throughout its length and regardless of the load applied. These compression plates are spaced with respect to each other alongthe leaf and have associated therewith interposed resilient pads. l

In a preferred form of the invention a full length semi-elliptic spring leaf is employed mounted at its middle to the axle of a vehicle and supporting the body of the vehicle at its respective ends. Throughout the length of the leaf element are disposed and supported therefrom a. plurality of spaced compression plates preferably dependent from the leaf and having theinterposed pads therebetween.

These plates and their pads are associated o on each side of the fixed member attachedto the axle and are held in predetermined states of pressure' by means of connectorspassing through apertures in thel plates and pads, these connectors being adjustable to regulate V and control the movement of the unit, in either direction. Preferably there is at least one connector passing through the Hupper portions of the plates and pads havingbolts 'on its. ends to regulate the degree of pressure placed on the pla-tesmand pads along 60 their upper yportion to control the resistance of movement of the spring in one direction and there is also provided another connector passing through apertures in the lower portion of the plates and padsand having bolts at its ends to'regulate the pressure applied to and along the line of the lower portion of the plates and pads to control-the action of the unit in either direction. f

The preferred present form of the invention is shown in the drawings,'of which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device mounted on a vehicle; v Fig. 2 is an elevationy of one of compression plates;

F ig. 3 is a side view thereof;

Fig. L is a similar vi-ew ofa male compression plate; v

Fig.; 5 is an elevation of a modified form of female plate; l

Fig. 6 is a side view thereof; y 1

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a male modified compression plate; Fig.; 8 is a longitudinal vertical section throughthe device; and Y Y 85 Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on*- the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. y Y 5 As shown in the drawings the presentpreferred form of the device comprises a leaf spring 1()4 to which an auxiliary second spring 90 plate 11 may or lmay not be attached as def sired.;y The leaf 10 is fastened in any suitable manner on one end12 to a shackle 13 mounted on a frame element 14 of a vehicle. The other end of the spring element is fas- 9 tened at 12a; directly to the end of the frame element 14. A. casing or fixed member 15 is the female 75 attached by bolts 16 to the spring lea-ves and also to the axle 18. Cross plates 17 are employed in this connection.

In Fig. 8 there will be noticed a plurality of pairs of compression plates 19 and 2O disposed along and supported from the leaf 10 on opposite sides of the fixed element or casing 15. The preferred form employs pairs of plates because of the ease with which they can be attached to and removed from the leaf 10 but it is to be understood that instead of using a plurality of pairs of plates, that a plurality of single plates may be employed, if desired. Some of these plates, especially those disposed near the lined member 15 have their lower edges 21 and 22 bent toward the center of the spring, as shown, for the purpose of making the compressive action more effective and `to more effectively transmit the resistance of one plate member along the series to the others. Disposed between each set of plates or between the single plates when thus used are a plurality of resilient pads-23 preferably of rubber. These pairs of plates comprise male and female members respectively and on the latter members as shownin Figs. 2, 8, 5,'and 6 have lateral flanges 19a assisting the male menibers in being positioned in association wih the female members. j

As shown in Fig. 2, the construction and assembly of these compression plates require that each plate unit be formed of two separate plates such as 19 and 20, having three holes. therein. Two of these holes 24 and 25 are disposed side by sidenear the top of each plate land the third hole 26 is disposed centrally of the lower portion of each plate. The top of each plate is provided with a lateral projecting spaced tongue 27 which cooperates as shown in Fig. 9 with a similar tongue on its companion plate to form a slot between these tongues and the main body of the plate and through this slot the spring leaf 10 projects as well as the secondary leaf 11, when Such a secondary leaf is employed. By having these compression plate units made of two plates apiece constructed as shown, it is a very easy matter to slip them onto the spring and take them therefronn, when desired, although it is to be understood that single plates having slots on their top and the desired holes therein may be employed instead of using pairs of plates.

These plates and the interposed resilient pads are held together as a unit in position on this leaf spring and with respect to the fixed member or casing 15 by means of adjustable connectors certain of which are adjusted to predetermine the normal load position of the unit and others of which are adjustable to predetermine the recoil or checking action of the unit. 'These connectors may each be integral one-piece rods or cables which extend through holes from one end of the spring to the other and having adjustable bolts on their opposite ends to regulate the degree to which the various compression plates are held tightly together. However, in the preferred form shown these connectors and adjustable checking elements are made cach in several pieces. For instance, the con nector which extends through the lower holes 26 in the plates is comprised of a central link 30 and end links 28 and 29 with bolts 33 on their opposite ends toadjust the compressive action of the plates through this connector. The end links and the central link are preferably connected by havinfr eyes 34 and 35 formed therein as indicated and in the usual manner. These eyes and these links extend through the holes in the various compression plates and rubber pads which holes are suitably dimensioned, as desired, toreceive the parts of the connector. The holes are made much larger in each case, but are maintained neif'ertheless small enough to restrain Vthe lateral pla-te of the unit. The degree to which the nuts 33 are tightened on the lower connector determines the degree to which the spring will resist recoil action.

ln a. similar manner the upper connectors 32 passing through the holes 24 and 25 are related and adjusted. rlhese upper connectors may be formed each of one cable or rod passing through the holes in the plates or may be ofthe same general construction as just described with regard to the lower connector. By tightening the nuts 33 on opposite ends of the upper connectors the normal position of the spring for normal load conditions is determined. It is also to be observed Ythat under certain conditions it may he desirable to have only one upper connector instead of two in which case the upper connector will be disposed centrally of the plate above the lower one. lt will be noticed that the holes 24, 25 and 26 in the respective plates and pads areof ample depth to permit play of the connectors in a vertical direction, but are only sufficiently large in width to permit of thel insertion of the connectors. This is for the purpose of enabling the connectors by reason of their snug lateral fit to overcome or resist any lateral side sway of the unit on the axle. j

.Assuming that the upper connector or connectors have been properly adjusted to give the compression plate unit a predetermined normal position under compression, the spring 10 will assume, for instance, the full line position shown in Fig. 1. The lower connector or check element is then adjusted to the proper pressure. Zhen the spring is put under a. full load it assumes the full load depressed position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1. The operation of this device is such that no matter what loads are applied to the spring unit the deflection through the entire length of the spring is uniform and proportionate. The reaction of the spring to loads and recoil is smooth and easy and the reaction stresses are distributed uniformly Cdl throughout by reason of the force between the spring element and the various compression plates. The upper connector or connectors having been adjusted' for the normal position of the spring it will be observed that when the spring is under a load tending to move it to the curvature shown in dot-anddash lines shown in Fior. l the upper ends of the plates and pads will tend to spread apart along its arc and this spreading will be resist-ed uniformly throughout the unit by means of the upper connector. Conversely assuming that the lower connector has been tightened while the upper connector is adjusted for normal load, when the spring tends to assume a more bowed full line position than that shown in Fig. l and tends to recoil upward at its endsthis upward recoil will tend to cause the lower portions of pads and plates to spread apart and this spreading will be r-esisted by the lower connector uniformly throughout the unit.

It will therefore be seen that any motion of the spring upward or downward from normal will be subjected to a uniform resistance throughout by reason of the uniform press* ing action of the plates and pads and by reason of the uniform checking action of the respective connectors. By reason' of this action it has been found that such a spring can be used without using the usual shock absorbers. lt is also to be noted that the lateral relation of the connectors to the plates and pads will tend to resist any side sway or lateral movement of the unit.

lhile the invention has been described in detail and with respect to a present preferred form thereof it is not to be limited to such details and forms since many changes and modifications may be made and the invention embodied other forms and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language or .scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

. lVhat is claimed, is:

l. A vehicle spring device which comprises a spring leaf element, and a plurality of spaced compression plates supported on said element in a direction substantially at right angles thereto, and resilient material dis posed between said compression plates, said plates and said material extending substantially throughout the major portion of the length of said spring leaf element.

2. A vehicle spring device which comprises leaf element fixed at one point and free to move at a spaced point, a plurality of compression plates spaced along said leaf element between said points and suspended therefron and a resilient material disposedv between said compression plates.

A vehicle spring device which comprises a leaf element, a fixed member to which said element is fastened at one point, a plurality of compression plates suspended from and along said leafr element, a resilient material I between said compression plates and means for adjustably holding said plates together and in cooperative relation with the fixed member. f Y

4. A vehicle spring device which comprises a leaf element fastened at its middleto a xed member and free for movement at opposite ends,` a plurality of compression plates disposedalong and suspended froin'said leaf element on opposite sides of said fixed member, a. resilient material disposed between u 6. A vehicle spring device which comprises a leafelement, afixed member to which a portion of said element is fastened, a plurality of slotted plates supported and suspended from said leaf element on one side of saidl fixed member, a resilient material between said plates, said plates and said resilient material having a plurality of sets of aligned apertures therein and adjustable connectors passing through said apertures to adjustably hold said plates together and press them to-` ward the fixed member, said connectors adapted to predetermine the normal and abnormallimits of movement of the device.

7. A vehicle spring device which comprises a semi-elliptical spring leaf, a fixed member to which said leaf is fastened at its center, a plurality of slotted compression plates disposed along and suspended from said leaf element on opposite sides of said fixed member, resilient materialbetween said compression plates, said plates and resilient material having an upper series of aligned holes, an adjustable connector extending through said series of holes and having means on opposite ends to adjust the tension in the connector to position said plates, and a second connector passing through the lower series of aligned holes and having means to adjust the tension therein to predetermine the checking or recoil action of the device.

8. A. vehicle spring device which comprises a leaf spring element, a plurality of spaced compression plates supported on saidele-V ment, resilient material'disposed between said plates, and means connecting said pla-tes to resist and checlir the movement thereof in either direction.

9. A vehicle spring device which comprises a leaf element, a plurality of spaced compression plates supported on said element, resilient material disposed between said compres'- sion plates7 a connector passing through the upper portion of said plates and resilient material, a second connector passing through the lower portion of said plates and resilient material, means for adjusting said connectors to exert pressure on said plates and resilient material along the linesr of the connectors whereby spreading of the upper and lower portions or' the plates and resilient-material is resisted uniformly throughout.

10. A vehicle spring device which comprises a spring leaf element, a plurality of spaced compression plates supported on said element, resilient material disposed between said compression plates, said plates and resilient material vhaving a series of aligned apertures therein of greater depth than width, and a connector passing through said apertures and of a width snugly iittingsaid apertures but having predetermined vertical movement therein to prevent side sway of the unit.

' Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 6th d'ay of February, A. D. 1932.

Y ERIC G. LINDHE. 

